On 21st March 2007 Dudley MBC adopted its Parking Standards and Travel Plans Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) prepared as part of the Council’s Local Development Framework. This SPD needed revision to cater for expected parking levels for residential development and as a result of changes to national and local legislation.
Over the past two years, we have gathered evidence about car parking and car ownership across the Borough to identify the issues that this document should respond to. A series of surveys were undertaken to help provide a more accurate picture of the existing situation and two periods of consultation were undertaken on the draft SPD in the Autumn of 2010 and in January – February 2012. The results of the surveys were compiled in a report produced by Phil Jones Associates which is available to download below, and the representations received on the consultation, plus the Council’s responses to them are contained in the Consultation Statement which is available below.
The results of the surveys and the comments received have been used to finalise the report which will now be presented to Cabinet on 27th June 2012 with a recommendation for approval to adopt the SPD. This final document can be viewed below. The recently adopted National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that as a document approaches its adoption, it should be given more weight to be taken into consideration in determining planning applications. As such, this SPD now supersedes the 2007 version and parking levels should be calculated on the basis of these new standards.
This SPD is based on local circumstances and it is in conformity with the Core Strategy for the Black Country and the NPPF. It sets out a policy approach which moves away from the residential minimum standards approach advocated in previous policy documents. The SPD aims to ensure that parking provision in new development is designed to meet expected demand whilst making the most efficient use of land and maintaining the principles of sustainable development.
Following the adoption of the SPD, you may view a paper copy at the Planning Offices, 3 St. James’s Road, Dudley, or at any of the main libraries across the Borough at normal office opening hours (9am – 5pm).
If you have any questions regarding the process of adopting the SPD or any queries upon the content of the document, please do not hesitate to contact us at the address, email or phone number below.
Rachel Gandolfi
Planning Policy Section, DUE
3 St. James’s Road, Dudley
West Midlands, DY1 1HZ
Tel: 01384 816964
Fax: 01384 814141
